Jacob's Ladder Day

Reed and I got up around 4 in the morning Sunday, picked Caleb up in Birmingham and continued to Alexander City. Both girls were performing at their church for "Jacob's Ladder Day." One was singing at the early service and one at the traditional service. Jacob's Ladder is the wonderful preschool that is located at their church.  I don't think you could find a better place anywhere for your children!  It is awesome!


Before Maddie's group sang, I thought I'd get a couple of cute pictures of the girls together.  Lillian had other plans!  No matter how hard I tried, she WOULD NOT even glance it me!! They are looking at another mother who was trying to encourage Lillian to look at her Nana. Maybe next time!

She was very content keeping her head on her mom's shoulder as Maddie sang.  She did have a little fun before the program started, and she helped Pop read the bulletin. 

Maddie has grown up so much since she started here.  I can remember when she wouldn't sing or do any motions.  Now, she eagerly participates with her cute, sweet self!!

 

 

Precious, precious girl!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the first year that Jacob's Ladder has had infants and toddlers.  All the teachers and helpers grabbed a little one.  Aren't they the cutest?

Lillian is waving good bye to the congregation!  Mrs. Beverly is her sweet, sweet teacher!

 

 

 

We ate lunch and then headed to their house for a little while.

 

Uncle C's still got the moves!!  

Pop and Lillian are searching for Maddie in a game of hide and seek.  Lillian is calling, "Maddie, where are you?"

Max continues to grow and grow.

Playing in the sand is serious business for Little Bit.

Maddie was busy riding her bike, but took a break to have her picture made in front of this pretty plant. I tried to grow one last year, but had no luck!!

 

I am headed back Friday for Maddie's TBall game.  I can't wait for that!

Easter at Aunt Sandra's

Caleb and I rode up together, and as we turned down the dirt road, we discussed how not many people get to experience this type of living anymore.  We are blessed!  Also, if you don't have a sister-in-law who is a professional caterer, I recommend that you look into that! After every family gathering, I always say that we should do this more often!  Nothing can ever replace priceless family memories. We began with a delicious lunch, and then the fun moved outside!

We didn't have an egg hunt, but we did have bubbles!

And we had lots of  great conversations in the yard and on the porch, complete with pixie sticks!

The go cart was lots of fun! Cade and Josey  managed to find the mud!  Anna and Paisley had a fun ride, too!

The annual ballgame is quite entertaining and competitive!!  It was hard to tell who was on what team at times.  The outfield seemed to change with each inning!!

The big kids have just as much fun as the little ones! 

Taylor is offering encouragement to Mr. Competition himself!  After several months behind a desk, he got quite the workout!!

Fun was had by all!  I am not quite sure if an actual winner was ever declared!  They basically played until they were all exhausted! I hate I didn't have more pictures of Lee.  He was quite entertaining in the bushes and trees!

Aren't they cute!!



The day ended with a tasty meal quite different from the wonderful lunch we had!  We wrapped things up with a crawfish boil!  Uncle Reed had lots of help getting ready to cook!  

 This was a new adventure for some.  Others were professionals!!  I enjoyed leftovers from lunch!!

I can't wait until next year!!

Easter Morning

Pictures in front of the azaleas on the way to church is a long standing tradition in our family.  And it is one that comes with challenges! 


The first challenge actually came from my azaleas themselves.  Sometime during the winter, Reed mutilated  cut them back. The picture of the one below is actually lots better than the ones beside it.  They are now twigs.  Bless them.  We had to venture out a little farther in the yard than usual.

These two are always up to something during picture time!!

Finally! Love these two stinkers!!

Reed and I behaved quite nicely!!

Caleb and I also have our moments, too!

He may be grown, but he will always be my baby!

The flowering of the cross has become one of my favorite Easter traditions.  After enjoying a beautiful Cantata at church, we headed to Aunt Sandra's for an absolutely perfect afternoon! More on that next!

I also want to give an update on Maddie.  After several days of recovery, she is slowly getting better.  I don't care what anyone says-getting your tonsils out is tough!!

Pop and I went down to keep them some during Maddie's recovery, and I forgot my camera!  There were actually not many photo ops!  There were lots of ice cream and even more hugs!!

Easter Boo Boo

  The last time the girls visited, we dyed eggs and had an Easter Egg hunt.  Somehow, someway those pictures disappeared into cyber oblivion.  I am not sure what happened, but trust me they were precious!!!  Oh well!  I decided I'd do a flash back from last year's Easter and year.  I got a little more than I bargained for while looking through those.   You don't realize how much life can change in a year sometimes until you see it in photos.  We've all aged, and there have been many life altering changes to our family. God's purpose is evident everywhere!

Pop and I are headed out today to keep Maddie as she continues to recover from having her tonsils out!

This cutie was just about to wrap things up at the University of Alabama this time last year.  Now, he's a hot-shot professional!! How in the world did that happen??

This little one was just beginning her esteemed ball career.  Now, she's a pro! Their precious family has changed a lot over the last year, too!  They will soon be a family of five!!

Lillian has grown like a weed over the last year!  Grandmother is surely smiling down on her and all her "babies".

Dying eggs last year was lots of fun.  One thing didn't change-Papa helped us again this year!

We enjoy Easter at Aunt Sandra's every year.  I had forgotten that we were at the cabin last year! 

Flowering of the cross at church-beautiful!!

I  get lots of comments (good and bad) about taking pictures, but that's ok.  I love seeing how my family grows and changes.  We have lots of sweet memories that I am quite certain I wouldn't remember if not for pictures. And I don't want to forget a thing!  Happy Easter!

Little Bit

While Princess Maddie was having her special day with her friends, Lillian and I stayed at her house and had lots of fun, too! 

Special T-shirts, manicures and pedicures, inflatables at Frog Legs, and lunch at Chick-fil-A made for a very special finale to Maddie's birthday week!

Sweet puppy Max is going to think his name is "No Max", "Stay Max", or "Down Max".  Lillian says each of these to him quite often.  She is slowly warming up to him.  They had lots of fun playing with sticks and exploring the yard.

She also took a little time out for a drive and a little yard work!

Swinging, jumping on the trampoline, and blowing bubbles were also on our list of things to do!  We also made a trip to the park, but Nana forgot her camera.

 

 As soon as Lindsey and Josh returned from the birthday adventure, Lindsey headed to her high school's prom, to help one of her special students.

 

Excuse the shadows on the next two pictures, please!



 

 

Here is her 7 month baby bump.  Baby Reed is growing quite nicely.  We can't wait until his arrival!

 

 

We are headed back later this week to help with Maddie.  She will have her tonsils out this week.  I hate that we are going back for that reason, but we can't wait to see them again!!

Let's Party

We rushed home from the ballpark to find people waiting to help celebrate Maddie's birthday.  She is actually having a week of birthday celebrations.  Saturday was her family birthday, and she had a party at school Monday.  Next Saturday, Lindsey is taking Maddie and two of her special friends for a spa day and a day of fun!! I am a strong believer in "Birthday Weeks".  There is way too much to celebrate to do it in just one day!!  On the way from the park, Maddie said she wanted to change into a pretty dress for her birthday party, but there was no time for that!!

Maddie's fan club sporting our shirts!  I can't believe she is already 5!!

Great food and good times together!

 Our sweet, sweet birthday girl!

You don't turn 5 until you blow out the candles and have a cupcake!

Now on to the fun stuff-opening presents!!

Baby Sis got in on the fun, too!



And now, meet Max!  Lindsey found this adorable puppy at the Humane Society!! He is half Australian Shepherd, and we think half Saint Bernard.  He is also 100% precious!!

What a fun, fun time!! There is nothing better than spending time with family! I have to add that this sweet thing is having her tonsils out next week!  I know she will feel better, but we are not looking forward to it.  And bless her heart, she is SO excited about it!